Peer-to-Peer Support Networks

The most successful founders I know have one thing in common: They've built peer networks that function like personal boards of directors. What I'm observing at every founder event: The conversations that matter most aren't happening on stage. They're happening in the hallways between founders facing similar challenges. The peer network effect: 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 'Here's what we learned about customer churn that might help you.' 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 'We faced this exact choice 6 months ago - here's what worked.' 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 'Our fractional CRO is incredible. Want an intro when you're ready to hire?' 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 'Everyone feels like a fraud sometimes. Here's how I work through it.' How to build strategic peer relationships: Be specific about what you need 'I'm struggling with enterprise sales cycles' vs. 'I need general business advice.' Lead with value, not asks Share insights, connections, and resources before requesting help. Choose quality over quantity 5 deep relationships beat 50 superficial connections. Create regular touchpoints Monthly calls, quarterly dinners, annual retreats - make it systematic. The mistake most founders make: They network when they need something. Smart founders network when they have something to give. Your peer network is your competitive intelligence, your emotional support system, and your business development engine. All in relationships with people who understand exactly what you're going through. What's one challenge you're facing that another founder has probably solved already?

If we want real change in alternatives to incarceration, we need to center peer support. Programs alone are not enough. People need connection. They need to feel understood, not just supervised. That’s where peers come in. Peer support is the missing link between systems and transformation. We’ve lived through the chaos, the courts, the cages, and the consequences. That lived experience allows us to reach people who don’t trust the process because they’ve been failed by it. Here’s what peers bring to the table in ATI programs: 1. Relatability that opens doors Clients may not trust a clinician, judge, or officer, but they will often talk to a peer who has walked a similar path. 2. Real-life strategies We do more than listen. We share tools, routines, and insights that have helped us survive and evolve. 3. Improved outcomes Peers can help clinicians reach the goals set for clients by increasing engagement, reducing dropout, and improving follow through. 4. Reduced recidivism When people feel seen and supported, they are less likely to return to jail and more likely to stay connected to care. 5. A human-centered approach We shift the focus from punishment to purpose. From compliance to connection. From control to compassion. You can’t fix what you don’t understand. And you can’t transform lives without trust. Peer support is not a luxury in justice reform. It is a necessity. Let’s stop doing this work without the people who understand it best. Put peers in the plan, and watch the results speak for themselves. Share if you Support LONG LAST CHANGE #PeerSupport #AlternativesToIncarceration #ATIPrograms #LivedExperience #RecoveryCommunity #CRPA #JusticeReform #PeerLeadership #SystemChange #HarmReduction #DaevonEaley #MentalHealthMatters #ReentrySupport #TraumaInformedCare

A new study by Courcy et al. (2025) explored how autistic adults in Québec describe their personal support networks. What stood out most is the unique and powerful role of autistic peer support — even when peers weren’t named in someone’s “closest circle,” their presence mattered deeply. 🔎 Key findings: Most participants named family and friends as their closest supports, and 21 of 31 also mentioned autistic peers. These peer ties often provided: 💡 Emotional support — being heard and understood without judgment 💡 Practical advice — sharing tips for daily life and navigating services 💡 Companionship — social activities, groups, and spaces to belong 💡 Belonging — mutual recognition, self-identification, and solidarity These relationships didn’t fit neatly into “weak” or “strong” ties — they were more like “elastic ties”: flexible, meaningful, and able to hold both advice and empathy. Many participants (although not all) found it easier, lighter, and more reciprocal to connect with autistic peers than with neurotypical people. Peer support often fueled community engagement — from advocacy to creating inclusive social spaces. ✨ The takeaway is clear: autistic connections matter — not only for well-being, but also for empowerment, advocacy, and joy. 👉 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gspDMNxg #Neurodiversity #NeurodiversityAffirming #AutismAcceptance #AutismResearch #Belonging #Inclusion #CommunityCare #PeerSupport #SocialSupport #AutisticVoices #DoubleEmpathyProblem #StrengthBased #ElasticTies #DisabilityInclusion #NeurodivergentCommunity #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

The charity sector’s best kept secret when it comes to digital support? 🤫 It’s not one thing - it’s a network. The Network of Non-Profit Digital Support - convened by CAST Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology and funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation - quietly brings together some of the most impactful digital initiatives in the UK. Whether you need 👇 - bite-sized training and webinars - help finding a digital partner - one-to-one consultations - or simply a friendly sounding board …this collective exists to make sure charities can access the right digital support, at the right time. Here’s what sits under the umbrella: Digital Candle 🕯️ Free one-to-one calls with digital experts to answer your charity’s toughest questions. Reuse Infrastructure 🔄 Connecting non-profits with affordable, repurposed tech and cloud solutions. Digital Trustees 🧑⚖️ Matching boards with digital professionals to bring vital skills into governance. Design Hops 🎨 Short, practical programmes to help charities solve challenges using design thinking. The Curve 📈 Free, hands-on live training sessions to build digital confidence and skills. Dovetail 🧩 A platform to help charities find the right digital agencies and freelancers. Digital Leads Network 🤝 Peer support and community for people leading digital inside charities. Agencies For Good 🌍 A network of mission-aligned agencies collaborating to support the sector. The Network is making it easier for non-profits to adopt the tools, approaches and mindsets they need to thrive. The best part: it’s all free. P.S. If you’re Scotland-based, don’t forget SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations)’s digital guides and support too - AI, cyber security and beyond. ❓ What's your favourite free third sector digital, data or design resource? Self-promotion completely welcome 👇

Success can be isolating - but what if the cure for loneliness lies not in being less ambitious, dimming your light, or settling below your potential, but in connecting with others just as driven as you? We continue from our post yesterday, addressing women in leadership who identify as successful, yet feeling lonely or alone in their leadership journey. Now, for many women leaders, the pressures of leadership can create barriers to meaningful connections. However, research shows that support networks both within and outside of work are powerful antidotes to this isolation. Building these intentional connections provides the emotional support, authentic relationships, shared experiences, and practical support that help women leaders not just survive, but truly thrive. Fostering these networks can be a game-changer for you as a woman in leadership. Research from Harvard Business Review reveals that women in senior leadership roles often find it difficult to form genuine peer networks within their organizations. Thus, it becomes harder to find the emotional safety needed to discuss the unique pressures you face. Intentional networking with other women in leadership, both inside and outside of the organization, is crucial. These networks don’t just provide career advancement opportunities, but they create a space for shared experiences, where women can openly discuss challenges, strategies, and successes without fear of judgment. This area is personal to me because it was part of my experience as a senior leader. I had a couple of false starts as I began looking for help. The initial people I reached out to and ask for support were not able to grasp what it was that I was looking for. That was really disappointing. However, the need was still there. I continued to search and explore possible spaces I could fit in as well as peers who could relate with what I was going through. Step by step out of my comfort zone led me to a thriving support community that continues to this day. Research from HBR shows that leaders who have strong support networks experience higher resilience, better decision-making, and increased job satisfaction, all of which enhance both personal well-being and professional performance. Building a support network isn’t just a way to cope with loneliness. It is a pathway to more fulfilling and impactful leadership. When women leaders invest in authentic connections with friends, peers, mentors, and coaches, they open doors to shared wisdom, mutual encouragement, and new perspectives that empower them to lead with confidence. A supportive network essential for women leaders who want to thrive, inspire others, and create lasting change. Do you have a support network in place? Or, are you searching for one? #leadership #africa #leadershipdevelopment #professionalwomen #personaldevelopment

Mental health stigma presents a significant obstacle that discourages many individuals, including first responders, from pursuing the support and treatment they need for their mental health challenges. In Australia, first responders such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics encounter unique difficulties that can severely impact their mental well-being. To effectively tackle mental health stigma among these professionals, it is crucial for health experts, policymakers, and community leaders to prioritize their mental health. This includes emphasizing the urgent need for resilience training, early detection of psychological injuries, and exploring innovative counseling pathways within the first responder community. The culture inherent in first responder roles significantly influences mental health, underscoring the necessity of dismantling stigma. The alarming increase in suicide rates among police forces in Australia this year highlights the multifaceted nature of the issue, where not only the trauma associated with their roles but also various life stresses and events contribute to their decision-making. I firmly advocate for the importance of open conversations, where individuals can express their feelings without fear of judgment or retribution. Repeated exposure to traumatic incidents can lead to desensitization, making it easy to overlook both personal mental and physical health. Currently, there exists a growing gap in clinical support services for family members and colleagues who are on the path to recovery from mental health injuries. Early in my career, I was advised to lead by example; seeking help signifies strength and self-awareness rather than weakness. If more individuals sought assistance, it would demonstrate to others that this is a valid path to recovery. While we are improving in asking one another if we are okay, we must also enhance our ability to listen to what is being conveyed. Implementing Clinical Peer Support Programs would be instrumental in addressing mental health stigma among first responders. These initiatives create support networks within the community, enabling individuals to connect with peers who have faced similar challenges. Culturally competent peer support programs provide a safe environment for first responders to share experiences, seek guidance, and provide emotional assistance. By cultivating a sense of camaraderie and understanding, these programs can effectively reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behaviors. It is vital to prioritize the mental well-being of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. By confronting mental health stigma, we can enhance the overall well-being and resilience of first responders throughout Australia. #firstresponders #mentalhealth #suicide #ptsd #community #australia #resilence

Our latest paper describes a novel peer-to-peer coaching program for family doctors that we launched at our Family Health Team in 2019. https://lnkd.in/gAaR_a44 Our team had been working for some time to encourage physicians to learn from practice data but it was hard. There is so much on our plate as family doctors and it's hard to have the space and time to engage with data and reflect. Over 2 years, our team tested a series of supports to encourage doctors to learn from data--and peer coaching was the most popular and successful. In short, we trained 10 coaches (who were nominated by peers) on Joan Sargeant's reflective feedback model. Any of our ~75 staff physicians could choose to sign up for a 30 min coaching session where the goal was to review practice data and come up with a SMART change idea for practice. About 25 of our staff physicians did at least one coaching session. The feedback from coaches and coachees was extremely positive. As doctors, we hold ourselves to a high standard and getting data about where we can improve can be tough. Having a peer to review things with allowed people to move past their immediate emotional reaction to the data while also feeling validated and supported in their role as a family physician. Family physicians came out of the sessions with change ideas for their practice. But they also left feeling more connected and supported. This work was only possible because of our amazing team including Noah Ivers Kimberly Devotta Laura Desveaux, PhD CPCC Dr. Noor Ramji, Dr. Karen Weyman and many others including our fantastic peer coaches! Our ambitious to spread this program were interrupted by the pandemic--we've now translated this work to a new program we launched in 2023: Peers for Joy in Work https://lnkd.in/gnUdBXrD

Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) bring a wealth of benefits to individuals and communities navigating the complexities of mental health and recovery. Here are some key advantages: Lived Experience Connection: CPRSs have faced their mental health challenges and triumphs, fostering a unique and authentic connection with individuals on their recovery journey. This shared experience creates a foundation of trust and understanding. Role Modeling Resilience: By sharing their personal recovery stories, CPRSs serve as living proof that recovery is possible. They inspire hope and demonstrate that overcoming mental health challenges is achievable. Guidance and Support: CPRSs offer empathetic support and guidance based on their own experiences. They provide practical insights into coping strategies, self-care, and navigating the ups and downs of the recovery process. Advocacy for Self-Determination: CPRSs champion the principle of self-determination, empowering individuals to actively participate in their recovery decisions. They support autonomy and help individuals regain control over their lives. Navigating Systems: CPRSs are often well-versed in the mental health system. They can help individuals navigate complex healthcare and support systems, ensuring they receive the resources and services they need. Reducing Stigma: Through open dialogue and education, CPRSs contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Their advocacy promotes a more inclusive and understanding community. Peer-Led Support Groups: Many CPRSs facilitate peer-led support groups, creating safe spaces where individuals can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. These groups foster a sense of community and belonging. Holistic Approach: CPRSs recognize that mental health is interconnected with various aspects of life. They take a holistic approach, addressing not only mental health but also factors like social connections, lifestyle, and overall well-being. Bridge Between Professionals and Peers: CPRSs serve as a bridge between mental health professionals and those seeking support. They facilitate communication, ensuring that individuals receive comprehensive and person-centered care. Continual Learning and Growth: CPRSs engage in ongoing training and professional development, staying abreast of the latest insights in mental health. This commitment to learning enhances their ability to support others effectively. The contributions of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists play a vital role in fostering a culture of recovery, resilience, and hope within the mental health community.

Peer support =/= psychosocial support Although, arguably, peer support is a specific form of psychosocial support, they should not be conflated. While different conceptually and in practice, they are equally important to a holistic mental health support ecosystem; one is not superior to the other and depends on an individual's needs. At the core of effective peer support-oriented interventions is a unique lived experience, and the magic occurs in this pocket of shared challenges. Knowing that someone sees and authentically understands what you're going through is a unique and incredibly powerful form of empathy, an understanding that cannot be taught or manufactured. Beyond this special bond is the ability of peer support workers to use their lived experiences in a meaningful and empowering manner to support the people they're journeying with. The therapeutic relationship is also different and tends to be more equal and collaborative, with both parties learning and working together to move the person being supported forward. So, while peer support is a type of psychosocial support in the sense that it provides elements of psychological and social support, it is also distinct in its utilization of a shared lived experience to derive these benefits. #mentalhealth #psychology #singapore #wellness #linkedin

“The loneliness of becoming a business leader”🎯     Many time I heard from business leader I have met that often they feel lonely and hardly has somebody to share their business challenge. Such situation also relates back to me. During my tenure as a CEO, I frequently felt the same loneliness, especially when navigating through tough times. Honestly it wasn’t always easy to discuss my challenges with my team or those at the parent company. In Seed Transformation Program, we have peer advisory group called Leadership Lab where each business leader who participate in our program can share and learn about their business challenge.   In the Leadership Lab, each business leader will present his or her own business challenge to a small group of STP colleagues. It is designed to provide business leader an opportunity to hear potential approaches and diverse points of view from their colleagues about how they might address various business challenges. The Leadership Lab essentially a safe space for candid discussions, where confidentiality is kept at highest standard 🎗️. Here's what I think the benefit of having such peer advisory group to our participants: 1️⃣ Shared experiences: As business leader, they finally realize that they are not alone in their journey. Hearing from peers who have faced similar challenges can provide valuable insights. 2️⃣ Diverse perspectives: Gaining different perspectives can lead to innovative solutions that they may not have considered. 3️⃣ Confidential support: Our leadership labs encourage honest discussions that remain confidential, allowing them to be open and vulnerable. 4️⃣ Strengthened resilience: By building a robust support network, it can help them to navigate current economic uncertainties with greater confidence. 🤔 As business leader, have you ever experienced the same thing? Please share your insights in the comment section. 👉 If you're looking to scale your SME or early-stage business and strengthen your financial foundation, let’s connect. Together, we can explore impactful strategies for success. #ScalingUp #BusinessTransformation #Financialmanagement #FractionalCFO